Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.

Before learning about bariatric surgery my weight was beyond out of control. Food was my drug and comforted me when I was happy, sad, mad depressed or just breathing at times I swear. Just before making the choice to have surgery I would eat and just feel sick because I knew I was eating just because it was there. Unfortunately we need to eat to live but I just couldn't figure out the right control of it. Being Bi polar and not having the right medications or not taking any at all at times made it ten times worse.

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?

To me is the worst thing is how other people look at you. They may or may not make a comment but its the looks they give. Some are in disgust. I always wore clothes that was a size or two bigger just so I could try to feel comfortable in my own skin. So when I walk others don't have to look at my fat. Not being able to me as active with my young children like I want to. Go to Wild Adventures and just about fit in the rides. That was the worst when one ride wouldn't close all the way. Man I went to the bathroom and cried, but what got me is I wasn't just the only big person but for some reason it closed but safety reasons the light wouldn't go on. Well the light went on in my head that day.

If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

I had gastric bypass 12/7/2012 and as of today lost 70lbs which has given me confidence. The confidence to wear what I want and not 2 sizes to big. I walk in shorts and a tank top and if people look I try to think as if its a positive look. I have a friend that is very skinny but motivates me to walk 3miles a day. We are starting to run this week because I want to do 5ks,as a personal goal. I run with my kids and help my daughter practice for softball. As for any type of rides well we shall see this year. Its amazing the little things as sitting comfortable in a so called normal chair or sharing the rocking chair with my 4yo is amazing.